Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Caught on camera: A bluegrass surprise at a corporate dinner

I'm a photography intern at Advanced Energy, and this past Tuesday night was our annual Board of Directors dinner. It was a beautiful event held at NC State's Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center on Centennial Campus. The dining room looked like it could also be used as a ballroom or even to inaugurate the next president. There were sparkling chandeliers, most likely bigger than the average car, ceiling-high windows, and an elegant fireplace.

Needless to say, I was incredibly nervous to be the 20-year-old intern who has been with the company for less than a month, and I would be mingling with expensive men and honored guests, among them a member of our state senate. I did that female thing—you know, with the skirt and the make-up and the cute shoes—I put on my best adult-pleasing smile, and I walked in with my Van Gogh umbrella and awkward camera bag.


After I got over my adolescent fear of adults, creeped on the guests with my 200mm zoom lens, and ate some delicious carrot cake, the night turned out to be quite enjoyable, and much less scary than my dramatic imagination anticipated. But the real treat at the end of the evening was the beautiful bluegrass music from the Durham duo, The Jaybirds

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Made up of Jamie, the male singer and acoustic guitar player, and Susie, female singer and fiddle/electric bass player, their soulful yet upbeat melodies wonderfully filled the enormous hall and immediately had me enchanted. While many of the adults continued with their small talk, I was completely enamored, and I knew I had to spread the word about their incredible talent. For us they played bluegrass and covered the oldie but goodie, "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, but they said they also played rock and blues if the crowd so demanded. If you're an Americana fan, think of the beautiful harmonies of the Small Ponds mixed with the cajun flavor of Langhorne Slim with the delicate soul of Meklit Hadero. If you don't believe me, check out their Myspace page, or visit them on Facebook, even like them! They only have two demos to listen to, but those two songs are more than enough to showcase their raw talent and rare synchronicity.

Photography taken by WKNC photographer Katie Hill

Dutchess and the Duke, Dodos, and New Pornographers Rock Memorial Hall Friday, July 25

Despite the dearth of good things on UNC’s campus, Memorial Hall put on a spectacular show Friday, June 25. The Dutchess and the Duke and Dodos opened for the super group New Pornographers in a jaw-dropping concert.

The Dutchess and the Duke were joined by another member due to an accident with a food processor leaving the lead guitarist wounded. They played a set of strong folk rock with heavy vocals and light percussion.

I had been told that Dodos do not put on a good live show, but after their performance Friday, I beg to differ. These three guys—Meric Long, Logan Kroeber, and Keaton Snyder—played a percussion-filled set of their high-energy songs mainly off albums Visitor and Time to Die. They were obviously quite tired from traveling on tour for the past two weeks, for their between-song banter was admittedly lackluster, but, luckily, this did not carry over to their music.  Fellow DJ Sarah-nade enjoyed the vibraphone, which we found added a deeper sound to the music.



I don’t need to tell you how amazing the New Pornographers are. You’re probably singing your favorite New Pornographers' song in your head right now (mine is Myriad Harbour). The acoustics in Memorial Hall worked perfectly with the sound emanating from A.C. Newman’s guitar, Neko Case and Kathryn Calder’s beautiful voices, and all musicians making up this Canadian super group. As we listened, I pictured colorful threads of sound coming together to form one beautiful tapestry. They played a great set, starting off with “Sing Me Spanish Techno” and kept the energy high with “Myriad Harbor” and songs off their new album, Together, like “Your Hands” and “Crash Years.” They played songs off almost all of their five albums.

6/21 RPM ablums for WKNC's Daytime Music













































































ArtistAlbumLabel
#1TAME IMPALAInnerspeakerModular
#2GRAND LAKEBlood Sea DreamHippies are Dead
#3CASIOKIDSTopp Stemning Pa Lokal BarPolyvinyl
#4LIGHT POLLUTIONApparitionsCar Park
#5VILLAGERSBecoming a JackalDomino
#6PONTIAKLiving
#7PEGGY SUEFossils and Other PhantomsYep Roc
#8PETER WOLF CRIERInter-BeJagjaguwar
#9WILD MOCCASINSSkin Collision Pastself-released
#10SLEIGH BELLSTreatsMom and Pop

EOT33 Alternate Options for Graduates 6/23/10

EOT host Saja Hindi runs down the latest news, followed by From the Sidelines with Tyler Everett. Our VIP segment was a rebroadcast of our Feb. 15, 2010 live in-studio interview with Teach for America on-campus student coordinator Joe Wright and future Teach for America teacher and WKNC general manager Mike Alston, N.C. State Peace Corps Recruiter Marques Anderson, and senior in graphic design Ana Andruzzi. Wright and Anderson discussed the organizations they represent and the benefits students can take from joining these service corps. Andruzzi talked about her decision to teach in Prague after graduation through Teaching English as a Foreign Language and what she hoped to get out of it.

In community canvas, Saja talks with photographer Rob Fisher about his black and white photography exhibit for First Friday at Vintage 21. Hear This previews the Friends of the Brussels Chamber Orchestra's Cross Currents Festival. Finally, Alison Harman chats with Wolfpacker of the Week Laura Maruzzella,  senior in art and design.

http://interviews.wknc.org/eot/EOT33_062310.mp3

Local Musical Chairs Compilation

If 2009 was the year of Hear Here, then 2010 could very well be the year of Musical Chairs.  Carrboro based recording studio Nightsound Studios is releasing a compilation album in a similar vein that Flying Tiger Sound pulled off at this same time last year.  The project is to be titled The Musical Chairs Compilation.  The kicker is that the bands are covering other local bands and have to choose the band they are covering at random.  The compilation is being released for free with all donations going to the production of the free CDs and a local concert, and all concert proceeds will benefit a charity. You can read more about it here.

Bands on the project include:
Birds and Arrows
Butterflies
Erie Choir
I Was Totally Destroying It
Lizzy Ross Band
Luego
New Town Drunks
North Elementary
Pneurotics
Puritan Rodeo
Soft Company
Swaso
Wylie Hunter and the Cazadores and Pecosa

IWTDI has already announced that they are covering a North Elementary track while Puritan Rodeo is covering one of their's.  I will post more information as I know it.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

6/21 RPM albums on WKNC Afterhours













































































ArtistAlbumLabel
#1SLEIGH BELLSTreatsMom and Pop
#2CRYSTAL CASTLESCrystal Castles IIUniversal
#3RATATATLp4XL
#4LCD SOUNDSYSTEMThis is HappeningEMI
#5RUSKOO.M.G.!Mad Decent
#6M.I.A.XXXO: The Remixes
#7BORGOREBorgore Ruined Dubstep [EP]
#8NINJASONIKArt School GirlsGreen Owl
#9UFFIESex Dreams and Denim JeansBecause
#10N.E.R.D.Hot N Fun The Remixes

Monday, June 28, 2010

Local Beat recap 6/25/10

The Local Beat last Friday was the first full three hour program since February and my first evening back behind the board in a month after throat surgery.  I felt a little rusty behind the microphone but my guests to the show triumphed to make the three hours fly by with great conversation and some really cool new songs that had never been played before.

While waiting for the Trekky guys to come in, David Mueller of Birds of Avalon came by to drop off the pre-release of the Heads On Sticks album entitled Mocking Bird.  Heads On Sticks is David's solo project that he has been working with off and on for the better part of four years.  In fact, his Marsupial's EP was one of the first local albums I ever came across and really pushed me into the local music scene here.  We debuted his first new track in two years, a song called "Two Clicks." David will be back on the Local Beat on the 9th to talk more about the album, so be sure to listen in then!

Will Hackney and Martin Anderson, the owners and masterminds behind Trekky Records, dropped by a little late after being stuck in traffic to pump up the third annual TrkFest, which happened Saturday, June 26 at Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, NC.  We spent the majority of an hour and a half talking about the day-long festival, the differences between this year and the previous two years, playing music from bands signed to Trekky, and other bands involved with the show.  Will and Martin are also in numerous bands in the area themselves and two of the busiest guys I know, so I had to ask them about their time management and how they run their business.  In all, we had a fascinating insight into a remarkable record label and the guys behind the scenes.  You can check out some of the pictures from TrkFest here.
TrkFest on the Local Beat 6/25/10



Web music player
Quantcast

Local favorites Bombadil stopped by for the last hour of the show to debut some brand new material and play live for the first time in a year.  As many of you know, Bombadil had to take a break last summer as pianist Stewart Robinson went back to school and Daniel Michalak had to take time to recover from a serious health problem, while James Phillips moved to Oregon and Bryan Rahija went to work in Washington D.C.  However, the band has still made time to write music and admitted that they now have enough new material for an entire album.  We discussed the difficulties with being so far apart and still trying to be a band and the frustrations with not being able to tour.  We also touched on their most recent album, Tarpits and Canyonlands, which was released last summer.  The band was unable to promote the record despite raving reviews, and I had to ask them how that made them feel.  Despite the down turn in events, the group seemed exceptionally positive and upbeat for the future and even played two brand new songs for us, which you can download through our Local Beat ReverbNation page (you can listen to them in the music player to the left).
Bombadil on the Local Beat 6/25/10

TrkFest 2010


Saturday, at the Piedmont Biofuel facility in Pittsboro, was the third annual TrkFest put on by Trekky Records.  TrkFest has quickly become one of the most important local music events in the area and a group of WKNC folk made it out in full force.  It was terribly hot and humid outside while the sun was out, but not one single person complained, and I believe everyone had a fantastic time.  I was lucky enough to sit next to Rich and Mimi McLaughlin of the Pneurotics, and we had a fine view of both stages.



We missed Vibrant Green and Ezekiel Graves but got there just as Yardwork started up, and those guys put on a fantastic set to start our day.


After a excruciatingly hot but fascinating tour of the entire Biofuel center, we caught the last half of Ryan Gustafson's set.  I have seen Ryan about six times now, but this was only the second with a full band, and he was awesome, as usual.

We had to escape the heat, so we headed into the shade during the Butterflies set.


Veelee went on next.  Their sound has evolved so much in the past year while still keeping with their same general style.  One song that stuck out to me was a new track named "T'morrow;" that was the first in their set.


Mount Moriah went on next and, as usual, played an incredible set.  I cannot describe how much I love this band and how excited I am for their new album to come out.

Midtown Dickens played one of my favorite sets of the evening.  Megafaun came on for a couple of songs, and Kym and Catherine are always entertaining but even more so for this event.  Fun, outgoing, and fresh is the best way to describe them.

It has been awhile since I saw Embarrassing Fruits play, but with a new album in the works, theses guys were as tight as ever as expected.


Hammer No More The Fingers has never been anything but a pleasure to see.  They are one of the most technically sound and entertaining groups in the area.  For a couple of songs they brought up Drew Anagnost and Leah Gibson from Lost in the Trees on the cellos and Brad Cook of Megafaun jumped on bass.

Lost in the Trees literally blew the crowd away playing second to last.  I was surprised that they could cram onto the smaller of the two stages, but it ended up being truly magical.  I feel like every time I see them live they sound different, which is always refreshing.

Megafaun ended the show as they always do: reeling the crowd in with their unique charisma and then putting them into a manic frenzy with their exceptional live performance.  I took several videos of the group playing some brand new songs with a variety of different musicians, all off of their upcoming album, but the sound quality came out too poor to post them.  Needless to say, every time I see Megafaun play, they retake the top of my list of local bands.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

T-boz of TLC on "Real RnB Radio" audio clips and wrap-up

On 6/26, Mir.I.am had the chance to talk with R&B legend T-boz of the number one selling female group of all time, TLC, to discuss the first anniversary of Michael Jackson death and his contributions to the entertainment world.

T-boz, along with countless others, was deeply influenced and inspired by Jackson and called in to give her thoughts on the music icon.

In the revealing interview, T-boz explains the indelible imprint that Michael Jackson has left on music, society as a whole, and herself personally.

T-boz also recollects what it was like meeting Michael Jackson for the first time, shares her favorite songs and videos, and explains what Michael’s overall legacy should represent.

Check out the interview below and feel free to leave a comment.

TBOZ1

tboz2

"Real RnB Radio" with host Mir.I.am airs weekly from 8-11pm.

T-Boz of TLC on "Real RnB Radio" tonight

Tonight on "Real RnB Radio", Tionne "T-boz" Watkins, 1/3 of the number one selling female group of all time, TLC, will be calling in to share her favorite memories of the Iconic and Legendary, Michael Jackson.

T-boz, like many, was heavily inspired and influenced by Jackson, who passed away almost exactly one year ago.

We'll find out from T-boz what Michael meant to her personally, meeting him for the first time, and his overall lasting legacy.

Tune in to "Real RnB Radio" as we the celebrate the life of the greatest entertainer to ever live. This exclusive can only be heard tonight 6/26 from 9-10pm on 88.1FM WKNC or streamed live at www.wknc.org/listen.

Also don't miss Mir.I.am give her predictions for the BET Awards airing 6/27 at 8pm on BET.

"Real RnB Radio" airs weekly from 9-11pm.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Local Beat Mini Exclusive: Brooks Wood Band



stand alone player
Quantcast

Many of you may have thought you had heard the last of the Brooks Wood Band after they called it quits awhile back  in 2008 when Brooks Wood decided to move up to NYC to try the solo thing.  However, the band is putting out a brand new album titled Good Timing, which the group has been working on for the better part of the last two years.  Local Music Director Nicole Kligerman sat down with the group to talk about the new album, hear some live songs, and chat about the album release party/reunion show tomorrow evening at the Pour House.  Full Proof and Jordan Lee are also playing the show, which begins at 10 p.m.  The show is $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

Take a listen to the interview and be sure to check out the show:
Local Beat Mini Exclusive: Brooks Wood Band 5/25/10

Also, be sure to download the two live songs the band played in the Local Beat ReverbNation page.

It’s the first of the month, so wake up, cash your checks and get to Tir na nOg!

Tir na nOg and WKNC bring you Local Beer Local Band night!!  This week we are featuring Static Minds and A Tin Djinn!  Of course it is free, and of course the local brews are on special.  21+ people!

Static Minds

You know their song "Time Bomb" because you've heard it on the awesome local music compilation Hear Here.  Experts have been quoted saying, "Their live performances are an intense blast of sweat, volume, and freedom with lots of songs about high times, bad girls, and living it up no matter what life throws at you." Nod your head to these guys this week!

A tin dijinn

I have a feeling these guys are hilarious. I'm having a look at their page right now (see link above) and, in short, there is Eliot, "enforcer of paisley;"  Gary, "the young zulu warrior;" and Clay,  the "Japan-crazed boogie tambourine mad man."  Overall, the band feats delicious glam rock with an indie twist.

Hooray for local music and local beer.  Who wants to hear these bands with a Highland Gaelic pint?  I do!!!

Pour House goes 21+

Raleigh music venue, The Pour House is now a strictly 21+ venue.  This applies to all giveaways done for The Pour House on WKNC.  In the past those 18+ had been able to pay a surcharge, but this will no longer be the case.

Local Beat preview: 6/25/10

It has been longer than a month since we have had a live Local Beat, and, since February, we haven't had a full, three hour show (mostly due to NC State Baseball).  I have spent the past month recovering from throat surgery and also doing some summer traveling, but it is finally time to get back into the amazing local music scene here, and tonight's show is going to be one for the ages.

We are dedicating the first two hours to Trekky Records and their kickass annual summer event TrkFest.  The event happens tomorrow, June 26, and this year there will be two stages of live music as well as the usual crafts, food, and beverages including:


  • Pants-off Dance-off

  • Coffee Sack Race

  • Cool Kids Yoga Session

  • Musical Chairs Cake Walk

  • Sprinklers and Water Things

  • Tour of Piedmont Biofuels

  • Free Haircuts

  • Shadow Puppets

  • Bliss Tent


I know I am going to get a haircut that I so desperately need and jam out to my favorite local musicians that include:

This is the 3rd annual TRKFest, and tonight, on the Local Beat, we will be chatting about all of the old and new things about the festival, the bands, and hearing some live music from some of the performers tomorrow.

At 7 p.m. my favorite local band Bombadil will be dropping by for what is the first time in well over a year.  As many of you may know, Bombadil has been on recent hiatus as some of the members have moved away and Daniel Michalak has been dealing with some health problems. With that said, this is their first interview as a group in quite some time, and one of the first since their Tarpits and Canyonlands hit the streets back in 2009  (If you remember, the album was my #1 album of the year).  The entire band is going to try to make it and and perhaps play their first live music together since last summer. It is seriously going to be awesome.

Band press kitsQuantcast

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Rock Can Roll benefit show Photographs!

In case you missed it, or if you just want to relive the mind-blowing experience! Here are photographs of Bright Young Things and What Laura Says taken by WKNC's photographer, Katie Hill.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Fishin' for Phish tickets? Look no further!

Beginning this week until the show on July 1 at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion, WKNC will be giving away pairs of tickets for Phish. Just be the correct caller and you could win tickets for you and a friend! Tickets are also available at Livenation.com.

6/14 Top ten tracks from WKNC's Daytime show














































































ArtistAlbumLabel
#1TAME IMPALAInnerspeakerModular
#2CASIOKIDSTopp Stemning Pa Local BarPolyvinyl
#3LIGHT POLLUTIONApparitionsCar Park
#4GRAND LAKEBlood Sea DreamHippies are Dead
#5PEGGY SUEFossils and other PhantomsYep Roc
#6VILLAGERSBecoming a JackalDomino
#7PETER WOLF CRIERInter-BeJagjaguwar
#8PONTIAK(single)Living
#9WILD MOCCASINSSkin Collision PastSelf-Released
#10HOORAY FOR EARTHMOMODovecote

6/14 Top Ten tracks from WKNC's Chainsaw Metal show













































































ArtistAlbumLabel
#1NEVERMOREThe Obsidian ConspiracyCentury Media
#2NACHTMYSTIUMAddicts: Black Meddle Pt. IICentury Media
#3OZZY OSBOURNEScreamEpic
#4AEONPath of FireMetal Blade
#5EXODUSExhibit B: The Human ConditionNuclear Blast
#6AVANTASIAThe Wicked SymphonyAFM
#7TAROTGravity of LightNuclear Blast
#8FREEDOM CALLLegend of the ShadowkingSteamhammer
#9ISTAPPBlekingeMetal Blade
#10THIS OR THE APOCALYPSEHaunt What's LeftGood Fight

DJ Ones interviews Hooray For Earth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PgHWew3nNQ

Last week I had the chance to interview the guys from Hooray For Earth before they played at Cats Cradle in Carrboro alongside The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Surfer Blood (for a full run down of the show make sure to check out the post detailing the show here). We discussed their latest EP entitled Momo, future plans for a full length, how they all met each other, how they got the name Hooray for Earth, and much more. Below I have put the interview in its entirety so enjoy!

HoorayPt1.mp3

HoorayPt2.mp3

HoorayPt3.mp3

6/14 RPM albums on WKNC Afterhours













































































ArtistAlbumLabel
#1CRYSTAL CASTLESCrystal Castles IIUniversal
#2RATATATlp4XL
#3SLEIGH BELLSTreatsMom and Pop
#4LCD SOUNDSYSTEMThis is HappeningEMI
#5GORILLAZPlastic BeachVirgin
#6TORO Y MOICausers of ThisCarpark
#7BASSNECTARTimestretchs
#8M.I.A.(single)XXXO
#9RUSKOO.M.G.!Mad Descent
#10NINJASONIKArt School GirlsGreen Owl

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Breaking news! Changes to Wednesday's lineup

What Laura Says will headline tomorrow night's Rock Can Roll show. Details to follow regarding further amendments.

The Avett Brothers are coming home, and we have tickets!



North Carolina natives The Avett Brothers have announced a show at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion on October 8, 2010. The public on sale for The Avett Brothers concert on Friday, October 8 at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion in Raleigh has changed to Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m., but WKNC has them now.  Just be the correct caller when the DJ asks for it and you could win tickets to the show!  Tickets will be on sale at LiveNation.com, the Hardee’s Thickburger Box Office, Ticketmaster, or charge by phone 800-745-3000 beginning Friday.

Monday, June 21, 2010

This Week's Giveaways!!!!

This week on WKNC, we're giving you tons of free stuff, or schwag (as DJ MollyPop says). We're giving away mega CDs, such as:













We're also giving away tickets to Brooks Woods' Band on June 26 at the Pour House, and tickets to MC Chris at Cat's Cradle on June 26. Stay tuned this week, for these giveaways as well as others!